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The Bose QuietComfort 25 ("QC25") are the latest in their long line of excellent noise cancelling headphones. Featuring a new design, updated electronics, and some new features, the QC25s seem, on paper at least, to be a solid development from the old QuietComfort 15s.

As good as the QC15s were, though, they had a few issues. Most notably... they didn't sound that great. That's one of the things Bose claims to have improved. That, and the noise cancelling itself.

Like all recent headphones, the design is fantastic. The QC25s fold up and fit in a case a bit bigger than a paperback book.

Comfort-wise, they’re also spot on excellent. Only light pressure around the ears, with soft ear-cups and a padded band for those of us sporting nothing up top.

At 6.9 oz (195.6 g), they’re lighter than most popular over-ear headphones, though a fraction more than the QC15s, which were 6.5 oz.

Though lightweight and plastic, the QC25s don't feel cheap. They seem rigid, and the plastic has a good texture to it.

Bose estimates the included AAA battery will last about 35 hours. When 7 hours remains, the battery light flashes. That’s smart design, letting you know you have enough for most flights left, but should bring a backup battery if you’re leaving home.

And, in a HUGE upgrade from the QC15s, the QC25s continue working even when the power is off/the battery runs out. The sound changes a little, but we’ll get to that.

Sound

Compared to the QC15s, the overall sound of the QC25s is much tighter, more refined. I’d generally say “better,” but there are still some aspects to the sound that prevent me from saying they sound “good.” Like most Bose headphones, they don’t sound bad, just "OK." Innocuous.

The bass is fuller, and less sloppy than the QC15s, but there’s a spike in the upper midrange. To some, this adds a bit of “excitement” to the sound, but to me it’s a little biting. It’s not offensive enough to say it’s a deal breaker (which it is with many headphones with a similar affliction *cough* AKG *cough*), but if I didn’t need the noise cancelling, I’d put on a different pair of headphones, like the PSB M4U1s, or the Blue Mo-Fi.